Synonyms of targets

targets 1 of 2

noun

plural of target

1

as in victims

a person or thing that is the object of abuse, criticism, or ridicule

the hapless vice president quickly became the favorite target of late-night comedians

Synonyms & Similar Words

• victims
• prey
• butts
• marks
• sitting ducks
• scapegoats
• laughingstocks
• goats
• mockeries
• lightning rods
• fall guys
• pilgarlics
• whipping boys

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• troublemakers
• gossips
• tormentors
• gossipers
• tattlers
• tattletales
• defamers
• torturers
• talebearers
• traducers
• libelers
• hecklers
• teasers
• baiters
• taunters
• needlers
• teases
• mockers
• ribbers
• insulters
• scorners
• scoffers
• satirists
• deriders
• libelists
• caricaturists
• parodists
• lampooners
• ridiculers

2

as in jokes

a person or thing that is made fun of

a badly made TV commercial that became the target of lots of jokes

Synonyms & Similar Words

• jokes
• victims
• fools
• sports
• butts
• mocks
• marks
• laughingstocks
• pigeons
• jests
• dupes
• mockeries
• derisions
• suckers
• monkeys
• gulls
• saps
• chumps
• fall guys

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• pets
• favorites
• darlings

3

as in goals

something that one hopes or intends to accomplish

our target is to raise $100,000 for a new playground by August

Synonyms & Similar Words

• goals
• purposes
• plans
• objectives
• aims
• objects
• intentions
• ambitions
• intents
• ideas
• dreams
• things
• aspirations
• points
• ideals
• designs
• meanings
• pretensions
• projects
• marks
• bournes
• ends
• hopes
• schemes
• desires
• plots
• destinations
• wishes
• minds
• holy grails
• grails
• nirvanas
• termini

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• means
• methods
• ways

targets

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of target

as in taunts

Related Words

• taunts
• baits
• harasses
• torments
• bugs
• needles
• kids
• rags
• ribs
• harries
• barracks
• pesters
• caricatures
• rallies
• tweaks
• parodies
• teases
• quizzes
• heckles
• twits
• hassles
• catcalls
• pillories
• lampoons
• takes off (on)
• satirizes
• mimics
• rides
• parrots
• apes
• jives
• burlesques
• razzes
• travesties
• imitates
• chaffs
• disparages
• belittles
• decries
• scouts
• joshes
• ridicules
• scorns
• scoffs (at)
• gibes
• bad-mouths
• mocks
• laughs (at)
• jeers
• sneers (at)
• derides
• pooh-poohs
• skewers
• shoots down
• puts down

Dissimilar Words

• approves
• endorses
• commends
• sanctions
• applauds

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of targets

Noun

The Russian Defense Ministry said its forces overnight struck targets in Ukraine's southern Odesa region on the Black Sea coast with drones. — Arkansas Online, 7 Oct. 2026

The interceptor uses hit-to-kill technology to destroy targets through direct impact. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 6 Oct. 2026

The maker of custom AI chips and networking gear could raise its long-term financial targets substantially, with big reverberations through the hyperscaler and chip worlds. — Jim Cramer, CNBC, 6 Oct. 2026

The Russian Defense Ministry said its forces overnight struck targets in Ukraine’s southern Odesa region on the Black Sea coast with drones. — Samya Kullab, Los Angeles Times, 6 Oct. 2026

Upshaw’s 13 receptions (on 14 targets) are third on the team, and his 135 snaps are third among receivers — behind Toney’s 237 and Barkate’s 221 — and 11th overall. — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 6 Oct. 2026

The light targets mitochondria at the cellular level, which supports collagen production, reduces inflammation and promotes tissue repair. — Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 29 Sep. 2026

White repeatedly said the inspector general should have access to records needed to complete investigations without revealing the targets of those investigations. — Adam Thompson, CBS News, 29 Sep. 2026

The disclosure does not indicate that the journalists themselves were targets of the investigation. — Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 29 Sep. 2026